Baseball pitcher{3 s training device

ABSTRACT

A training device for assisting a young athlete develop the ability to properly throw a baseball or the like, and comprising a wrist band, finger engaging means comprising a pair of loops which are adapted to encircle the base of two spaced fingers, and an elastically stretchable connecting strap interconnecting the wrist band and the finger engaging means. The connecting strap is adapted to extend along the inside of the hand so as to maintain the wrist in a forwardly flexed position and to exert a pulling force along a line extending toward the first and second fingers. Thus during the throwing motion, the connecting strap serves to pull the wrist forwardly along a straight line so that it may be quickly flexed or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;snapped&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; to impart maximum speed and rotation to the ball.

United States Patent iwi Starrett et a].

l l BASEBALL PITCHER'S TRAlNiNG DEVICE [76] inventors: Herman P. Starrett. 2609 Carolyn Dr.. Statesville. NC 28677; George D. Bamberger. 2120 Forest Ridge Rd.,TimoniL1m, Md 2l093 [22] Filed: Mar. 7, 1974 [2l] App]. No.: 448,908

[52] US. Cl 273/26 C [51] Int. Cl A63b 69/40 [58] Field of Search 273/26 C. 54 B, DlU l9; 2/61 A [56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l l26,938 2/l9l5 Barrett 273/54 B 3398351 3/1968 Disko H 2/l6l A 3.497.218 2/l970 Johnston 273/26 C 3.726 525 4/1973 Jackson 273/54 B l l June 10, 1975 Primary Examiner- Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-T. Brown Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [57] ABSTRACT A training device for assisting a young athlete develop the ability to properly throw a baseball or the like. and comprising a wrist band. finger engaging means comprising a pair of loops which are adapted to encircle the base of two spaced fingers and an elastically stretchable connecting strap interconnecting the wrist band and the finger engaging means. The connecting strap is adapted to extend along the inside of the hand so as to maintain the wrist in a forwardly flexed position and to exert a pulling force along a line extending toward the first and second fingers, Thus during the throwing motion, the connecting strap serves to pull the wrist forwardly along a straight line so that it may be quickly flexed or snapped" to impart maximum speed and rotation to the ball.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 BASEBALL PITCHERS TRAINING DEVlCE The present invention relates to a training device adapted to be positioned on the hand of an athlete to assist in developing the ability to properly throw a baseball or the like. The invention has particular utility in assisting a baseball pitcher learn to throw with muximum speed and also develop the ability to throw a curve ball.

ln learning how to properly throw a ball. and in particular a baseball, young athletes often have difficulty in learning to properly flex the wrist during the throwing motion. in this regard, the wrist should be initially flexed rearwardly to a cocked position as the arm is brought rearwardly, and then during the forward motion, the wrist should snap" forwardly to thereby im part speed and rotation to the ball. Many young athletes have a tendency to maintain the wrist in a relatively static condition during the throwing motion. and this failure to fully snap the wrist seriously limits the speed and distance which the ball may be thrown.

The ability to throw a baseball with a great deal of speed is of course important for every member of the team. but is perhaps most important for the pitcher. in addition, the pitcher must not only be able to throw the baseball with considerable speed. he must also develop the ability to roll the ball from the first and second fingers during the pitching motion so as to cause the baseball to curve.

To assist young athletes in developing the ability to properly throw a baseball, it has been proposed to interconnect various fingers and the wrist with adhesive tape to maintain the wrist locked in a forwardly flexed position during the throwing motion. Such a procedure is generally unsatisfactory however since the tape prevents the wrist from properly flexing, and the tape itself is uncomfortable and irritating to the skin of the wearer.

As an alternative to the above tape construction, it has also been proposed to interconnect two fingers, such as the thumb and another finger, by means of an elastic band having loops at both ends for encircling the two fingers. A second similar band is provided which has loops at both ends for respectively encircling the first band and a wrist band to thereby flex the wrist forwardly when worn by the wearer. However. this arrangement results in a slideable connection between the two bands and the second band tends to slide toward the thumb during use. This results in substantially the entire pulling force being directed at the base of the thumb. and thus the pulling force lies at an angle from the direction of a straight forward movement of the wrist.

In accordance with the present invention. it has been found that the orientation of the pulling force in a baseball training device of the described type is of surprising importance in achieving full wrist flexure during the throwing motion. in particular, it has been found that when the pulling force is directed toward the first and second fingers of the hand, and is maintained in this di rection during the throwing motion. the wrist will tend to move forwardly along a straight line to achieve maximum flexure and thus impart maximum speed and dis tance to the ball.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a baseball training device which tends to resilicntly draw the hand and wrist into a forwardly flexed 2 position to thereby assist in snapping the wrist during the throwing motion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a baseball training device which resiliently draws the hand and wrist into a cupped and forwardly flexed position which is adapted to assist a pitcher in applying twist to the ball during the pitching motion, and so that the pitcher may develop the ability to throw a curve ball.

it is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a baseball training device which applies a pulling force along a predetermined direction during the entire throwing motion so as to impart maximum forward flexure to the wrist and guide the wrist movement along a straight line.

Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baseball training de vice embodying the features of the present invention;

FIGS. 2-4 are perspective views of the training device positioned on the hand of a wearer and shown from several different angles, and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the training device is disposed on the hand of a wearer when a baseball is held in a position for pitching or otherwise throwing the ball.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, a training device embodying the features of the present invention is illustrated generally at 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the training device includes a band 12 of leather or similar inelastic material which is adapted to fit securely about the wrist of the wearer. More particularly, the band includes a buckle 14 carried at one end thereof, and a number of apertures 15 extending along the opposite end so that the band may be releasably positioned about the wrist and may be adjusted for varying wrist sizes.

As will be apparent, other constructions for the adjustable wrist band could be employed with the present invention. For example, the wrist band could be fabricated from a heavy, non-resilient fabric material, and could include conventional cooperating Velcro" fasteners on each end for releasably attaching the band about the wrist. Velcro fasteners are well known in the art, and are adapted to be interconnected by being pressed together and released by peeling one end of the fastener from the other. i

The training device 10 further comprises finger engaging means 18 for interconnecting the base of two spaced fingers on the hand of the wearer. More particularly, the finger engaging means 18 comprises a first loop 19 adapted to encircle the base of the thumb of the wearer, a second loop 20 adapted to encircle the base of the third finger of the wearer as seen in the drawings, and a bridging strap 21 interconnecting the two loops.

As illustrated, the finger engaging means 18 is fabricated from a unitary strip of an elastically stretchable fabric material which is looped upon itself at each end and joined by sewing to form the two loops l9 and 20, and with the medial portion forming the bridging strap 21. The fact that the loops 1) and 20 are also formed from an elastically stretchable material permits the loops to firmly engage the base of the fingers to prevent slippage, and to fit fingers of varying sizes. Also. the

fabric material is preferably at least about three-fourths inch wide to provide a broad area of contact.

The bridging strap 21 has a length sufficient to permit the first loop 19 to encircle the base of the thumb while the second loop 20 encircles the base of the third finger, and yet it is sufficiently short so that the encircled thumb and finger are laterally drawn toward each other to thereby draw the hand into a somewhat cupped configuration as best seen in FIG. 2. As will hereinafter be explained, this cupped position assists in rolling the ball from the first and second fingers during the throwing motion to thereby apply twist to the ball.

A connecting strap 22 interconnects the wrist band 12 and the medial portion ofthe bridging strap 21. The strap 22 may be fabricated from an elastically stretchable fabric material similar to that employed in the finger engaging means 18, and may also include a lower loop 23 for encircling the wrist band 12 to provide a slideable connection therewith. A second loop 24 may be provided at the opposite end for encircling the bridging strap 21. but in this case, the loop 24 is fixedly connected to the medial portion of the strap 21 by the stitching 25.

The connecting strap 22 is adapted to extend along the inside or palm of the hand of the wearer and is of a length to draw the bridging strap 21 and thus the entire finger engaging means 18 forwardly toward the wrist band when the device is positioned on the wearer's hand. This resilient drawing on the finger engaging means tends to maintain the base of the encircled thumb and third finger, and the wrist, in a somewhat forwardly flexed position. Also, as best seen in FIG. 2, it will be noted that the pulling force of the strap 22 is directed along a line extending generally parallel to the direction of the arm and toward the first and second fingers. Since the strap 22 is fixedly connected to the bridging strap 21 by the stitching 25, it will also be apparent that this orientation ofthe strap 22 will be maintained during the throwing motion.

To use the training device of the present invention, the baseball is initially gripped in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5, and the wrist then flexed rearwardly against the resilient pull of the stretched connecting strap 22. Also, the bridging strap 21 will stretch to permit the ball to be received in the hand. As the throwing arm moves forwardly, the drawing action of the connecting strap pulls along a line directed at the first and second fingers such that the wrist is forwardly flexed or snapped" along a straight line to thereby impart maximum speed to the ball.

When it is desired to throw a curve ball, it is necessary to roll the ball off the first and second fingers to impart additional rotation to the ball. In this regard, the fact that the hand is drawn into a somewhat cupped configuration by the action of the bridging strap 21 has been found to facilitate the desired roll of the ball from the first and second fingers. Thus the training device of the present invention is also useful in assisting in devel oping the ability to throw a curve ball.

As will be apparent, the use of the described training device for a period of time by an athlete will tend to develop his coordination so that the proper movement of the wrist will become second nature. When this occurs, the device may be removed and the same movement may be repeated without the use of the training device.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention. and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

l. A training device useful in assisting an athlete develop the ability to properly throw a l: rscball or the like, and comprising a band adapted to fit about the wrist of a wearer,

means for interconnecting two spaced fingers on the hand of a wearer and comprising a first loop adapted to encircle the base of the thumb of a wearer, a second loop adapted to encircle the base of another of the fingers of a wearer, and an elasticaily stretchable bridging strap of a length to extend across the palm of a wearers hand from the thumb to the third finger and connected to and substantially spacing said first and second loops, such that the first loop encircles the base of the thumb while the second loop encircles the base of the third finger on the same hand of a wearer and with the third finger being laterally drawn toward the thumb to thereby draw the hand into a some what cupped configuration, and

an elastically stretchable connecting strap interconnecting said wrist band and the medial portion of said bridging strap and adapted to extend along the inside of the hand of a wearer so as to be directed toward the first and second fingers of the hand of a wearer, said connecting strap being fixedly connectcd to said medial portion of said bridging strap to preclude slippage ofthe connecting strap toward the thumb during use and being of a length to draw said bridging strap forwardly toward said wrist band when the device is positioned on a wearers hand to thereby resiliently maintain the base of the encircled thumb and finger and the wrist in a some what forwardly flexed position and while permit' ting restrained rearward fiexure of such fingers and wrist, whereby the connecting strap will tend to forwardly flex the wrist during the throwing motion.

2. The training device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second loops is constructed from an elastically stretchable material and is of a size to firmly engage the base of the thumb and finger of the wearer.

3. The training device as defined in claim 2 wherein said wrist band includes opposite end portions, and fastening means for adjustably interconnecting said end portions to thereby permit the band to be adjusted for varying wrist sizes.

4. The training device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said band comprises an inelastic material to permit the same to be securely positioned on the wrist of the wearer.

5. The training device as defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting strap further comprises a loop at one end thereof for encircling said wrist band and forming a slideable connection therewith.

6. A training device useful in assisting an athlete develop the ability to properly throw a baseball or the like, and comprising a band adapted to fit about the wrist of a wearer,

means for interconnecting two spaced fingers on the hand of a wearer and comprising a unitary strip of elastically stretchable fabric material which is looped upon itself at each end thereof to define a first loop adapted to encircle the base of the thumb of a wearer, a second loop adapted to encircle the base of another of the fingers of a wearer, and a bridging strap of a length to extend across the palm of a wearers hand from the thumb to the third finger and substantially spacing said first and second loops. such that the first loop encircles the base of the thumb while the second loop encircles the base of the third finger on the same hand of a wearer and with the third finger being laterally drawn toward the thumb to thereby draw the hand into a somewhat cupped configuration, and

an elastically stretchable connecting strap interconnecting said wrist band and the medial portion of said bridging strap and adapted to extend along the inside of the hand of a wearer so as to be directed toward the first and second fingers of the hand of a wearer. said connecting strap comprising a unitary strip of elastically stretchable fabric material which is looped upon itself at the lower end thereof to define a lower loop for encircling said wrist band and forming a slideable connection therewith, the opposite end of said strip being fixedly connected to the medial portion of said bridging strap to preclude slippage of the connecting strap toward the thumb during use, said connecting strap further being of a length to draw said bridging strap forwardly toward said wrist band when the device is positioned on a wearers hand to thereby resiliently maintain the base of the encircled thumb and finger and the wrist in a somewhat forwardly flexed position and while permitting restrained rearward flexure of such fingers and wrist, whereby the connecting strap will tend to forwardly flex the wrist during the throwing motion. 

1. A training device useful in assisting an athlete develop the ability to properly tHrow a baseball or the like, and comprising a band adapted to fit about the wrist of a wearer, means for interconnecting two spaced fingers on the hand of a wearer and comprising a first loop adapted to encircle the base of the thumb of a wearer, a second loop adapted to encircle the base of another of the fingers of a wearer, and an elastically stretchable bridging strap of a length to extend across the palm of a wearer''s hand from the thumb to the third finger and connected to and substantially spacing said first and second loops, such that the first loop encircles the base of the thumb while the second loop encircles the base of the third finger on the same hand of a wearer and with the third finger being laterally drawn toward the thumb to thereby draw the hand into a somewhat cupped configuration, and an elastically stretchable connecting strap interconnecting said wrist band and the medial portion of said bridging strap and adapted to extend along the inside of the hand of a wearer so as to be directed toward the first and second fingers of the hand of a wearer, said connecting strap being fixedly connected to said medial portion of said bridging strap to preclude slippage of the connecting strap toward the thumb during use and being of a length to draw said bridging strap forwardly toward said wrist band when the device is positioned on a wearer''s hand to thereby resiliently maintain the base of the encircled thumb and finger and the wrist in a somewhat forwardly flexed position and while permitting restrained rearward flexure of such fingers and wrist, whereby the connecting strap will tend to forwardly flex the wrist during the throwing motion.
 2. The training device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second loops is constructed from an elastically stretchable material and is of a size to firmly engage the base of the thumb and finger of the wearer.
 3. The training device as defined in claim 2 wherein said wrist band includes opposite end portions, and fastening means for adjustably interconnecting said end portions to thereby permit the band to be adjusted for varying wrist sizes.
 4. The training device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said band comprises an inelastic material to permit the same to be securely positioned on the wrist of the wearer.
 5. The training device as defined in claim 4 wherein said connecting strap further comprises a loop at one end thereof for encircling said wrist band and forming a slideable connection therewith.
 6. A training device useful in assisting an athlete develop the ability to properly throw a baseball or the like, and comprising a band adapted to fit about the wrist of a wearer, means for interconnecting two spaced fingers on the hand of a wearer and comprising a unitary strip of elastically stretchable fabric material which is looped upon itself at each end thereof to define a first loop adapted to encircle the base of the thumb of a wearer, a second loop adapted to encircle the base of another of the fingers of a wearer, and a bridging strap of a length to extend across the palm of a wearer''s hand from the thumb to the third finger and substantially spacing said first and second loops, such that the first loop encircles the base of the thumb while the second loop encircles the base of the third finger on the same hand of a wearer and with the third finger being laterally drawn toward the thumb to thereby draw the hand into a somewhat cupped configuration, and an elastically stretchable connecting strap interconnecting said wrist band and the medial portion of said bridging strap and adapted to extend along the inside of the hand of a wearer so as to be directed toward the first and second fingers of the hand of a wearer, said connecting strap comprising a unitary strip of elastically stretchable fabric material which is looped upon itself at the lower end thereof to define a lower loop for encircling said wrist band and forming a slideable connEction therewith, the opposite end of said strip being fixedly connected to the medial portion of said bridging strap to preclude slippage of the connecting strap toward the thumb during use, said connecting strap further being of a length to draw said bridging strap forwardly toward said wrist band when the device is positioned on a wearer''s hand to thereby resiliently maintain the base of the encircled thumb and finger and the wrist in a somewhat forwardly flexed position and while permitting restrained rearward flexure of such fingers and wrist, whereby the connecting strap will tend to forwardly flex the wrist during the throwing motion. 